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John Lennon’s Hollywood star defaced

STAR VANDALIZED: John Lennon's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, shown here in 2008, was defaced over the weekend, just days before a ceremony to mark his birthday. Photo: Associated Press

The Beatles legend John Lennon’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was defaced over the weekend.

The “Imagine” icon’s star, which lies next to Los Angeles’ iconic Capitol Records building, was covered in graffiti drawn in marker pen, including a spotted toadstool, and the phrases I love you and Blackbird… Rain was here.

Ana Martinez of the Hollywood Walk of Fame organization tells The Hollywood Reporter she determined to catch the culprits, saying, “We don’t mess around. I think Capitol is looking into seeing if there’s any video (of the crime). They’re registered state landmarks. We’ve had people destroy stars, cracking or prying out parts of the stars, and they do go to jail and they have to pay back for the repairs.”

The graffiti was removed by Monday morning, just two days before a special event will be held at the landmark to honor what would have been Lennon’s 73rd birthday on Oct. 9.